The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized, natural, unexaggerated breed, carrying a moderate amount of coat. Compared to many long coated breeds, they are relatively low maintenance dogs. Their usual life span is about 11-15 years. Fields are athletic, energetic and active, but not hyper, if provided with the opportunity to exercise regularly. Affectionate and devoted to their families, they are inclined to be reserved with strangers. Hunting and tracking instincts are deeply rooted.

Being a rare breed, you will find that most Fields are fairly closely related. The FSSA encourages breeders to do their very best to produce puppies without health problems.  Potential buyers should ask about the diseases which could occur in Field Spaniels and the health testing done on the sire and dam of any available litter. For more information on choosing a healthy Field Spaniel, PDF CLICK HERE    MS Word CLICK HERE

OFA maintains a database of health information that can be searched by breed, by health report or by part of a name. Click here to go to OFA ( http://www.offa.org/ ) for further information. Field Spaniels participate in CHIC.  This is an open database of health information. Field Spaniels who have had eyes CERF checked, hip x-rays evaluated by OFA, and thyroid blood testing recorded with OFA, can be included in the CHIC database.  A CHIC number (http://www.caninehealthinfo.org ) does not mean that a dog is clear of all health problems, but that their testing information is available in the open database.  No dog is perfect, but an open database helps breeders make careful breeding decisions, setting priorities about potential health problems.

In 2003 the FSSA conducted a health survey that included 446 dogs to accurately assess health issues that affect the breed. The results are presented here in three parts;